How to get started with medical cannabis

Talk to your healthcare professional

Consult with your healthcare professional about whether medical cannabis is right for you. If appropriate, they will complete a Medical Document for you, authorizing the use of medical cannabis, and send it to Spectrum Cannabis.

Register with Spectrum Cannabis

Fill out a Registration Form. We will process your Medical Document and Registration Form within 24 hours of receipt.

Start Ordering

Can't find a healthcare provider?

Don’t have a family doctor? Having trouble with the application process? Our Certified Partner program identifies organizations that can help you learn whether medical cannabis is right for you and access our products and services. Click here to get connected with a Certified Partner.

Is medical cannabis for you?

For several years, many people have looked to medical cannabis to help them with a variety of health issues. If you’re considering it, here’s some information to help you get started.

How cannabis works in your body

Cannabinoids are the main active ingredients in cannabis and more than 100 have been identified. They can be produced by the human body, found in plants, or manufactured in a laboratory for use in prescription medications. The two most commonly discussed cannabinoids are THC and CBD, due to the fact that they are found in relatively high concentrations in the plant.

Medical cannabis and its cannabinoids - primarily THC and CBD - can be used as therapy to treat or alleviate symptoms. Depending on your needs, you may wish to take a product containing THC, CBD, or a balance of both.

The Endocannabinoid System

We naturally produce cannabinoids (called endocannabinoids) that interact with cell receptors throughout our bodies. Endocannabinoids are like a key, receptors are like a lock, and they fit together to produce effects in the body.

Our endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in many physiological functions, including inflammation, sleep, pain, memory, digestion, immune functions, and neuroprotection.

THC and CBD also interact with the receptors of our ECS. This could partly explain why cannabis seems to have an effect on such a wide variety of symptoms and conditions.

What the product may be used for

“Your healthcare practitioner may have authorized the use of cannabis for the relief of one or more of the following symptoms associated with a variety of disorders that have not responded to conventional medical treatments. These symptoms (or conditions) may include:

severe refractory nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy

loss of appetite and body weight in cancer patients and patients with HIV/AIDS

One size does not fit all

Cannabis is not a one-size-fits-all therapy, so finding an appropriate product is often a matter of informed trial and error. Many patients benefit from using more than one variety. For example, for when they are medicating during the day versus the evening, or for different symptoms.

FAQs

Cannabinoids are the main active ingredients in cannabis and more than 100 have been identified. They can be produced by the human body, found in plants, or manufactured in a laboratory for use in some prescription medications. The two most commonly discussed cannabinoids are THC and CBD.

Cannabinoids are the active compounds found within cannabis. The two most commonly discussed cannabinoids are THC and CBD.

THC (delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main active ingredient within cannabis.THC is responsible for many of the pharmacological effects of cannabis, including the psychoactive effect.

CBD (cannabidiol) is the second most prominent compound within cannabis. CBD (cannabidiol) is the second most prominent compound within cannabis. CBD is not known to cause the noticeable intoxicating, euphoric effects that THC does. In fact, it may help reduce these effects.

Terpography is a visual mapping tool that Spectrum Cannabis designed to help customers choose the products that are right for them. The terpography map represents the profile of terpenes that give cannabis varieties and products distinct smells and tastes.

If you experience things like anxiety, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, or fainting, it is important that you don’t panic. You should focus on your breathing, stay hydrated, eat something, and find a safe place to relax. The effects should wear off in 2-6 hours depending on the method of consumption. If health and safety become a concern contact your prescribing healthcare professional immediately. Should you experience symptoms such as chest pain, or persistent vomiting or dizziness causing falls, you should go to a hospital emergency room.

To be effective, cannabinoids need to be heat-activated in a process called decarboxylation. This occurs during smoking or vapourizing when the plant matter is heated above 120℃. All Spectrum Cannabis oil and softgels contain cannabis oil that has been decarboxylated.

The terms “indica” and “sativa” are botanical terms that describe the morphology (shape) of different cannabis plants, but they are also often used to characterize the range of possible effects from a variety of cannabis. Some people use the term “indica” to describe effects that are more sedating or physical in nature. Some people use the term “sativa” to describe effects that are more cerebral or energizing.

These terms can be a useful reference, but they are not scientifically valid.

Spectrum Cannabis offers a referral service for those who don't have a prescribing doctor. We are pleased to have a wide range of Certified Partners to connect you with.

Simply complete this form and a Spectrum Cannabis representative will contact you with some options to choose from

Spectrum Cannabis has an average processing time of 1-3 business days after all necessary documents have been submitted to us. Once you are fully registered, you will receive a confirmation email inviting you to place your first order.

If you are unsure which Spectrum Cannabis product is right for you, ask your healthcare professional for advice. Our Care Centre staff are also happy to help you navigate the ordering process and find products. Contact us.

The registration renewal process is the same as the initial registration process. You’ll need to complete a new Registration Form and submit a new original Medical Document.

Within major city centres, delivery time is expected to be within 1-3 business days of ordering, if your order is placed and paid for by 3 pm. Delivery time is dependent on carrier and location. A signature is required upon delivery.

We process orders by the date and time they were submitted, and we have our full team working to fulfill everything as quickly as possible. There are several steps involved, and we take great care in verifying every order before it leaves our facility.

When you receive an order confirmation email, please be assured that your order will be fulfilled as soon as possible and shipped over to you shortly. As soon as your order is released for shipping, Spectrum Cannabis will send you an electronic notification, including a tracking number so that you can follow the package as it makes its way to you.

It is up to your healthcare professional to determine the duration and dosage amount within your medical document.

Your medical document includes a daily maximum quantity that you are permitted to receive for each 30 day period. Please note that the maximum quantity of medical cannabis that Spectrum Cannabis is authorized to deliver in one order is 150 grams.

For example, if your prescription allows for 10 g of medical cannabis per day (300 g per month), Spectrum Cannabis will ship you two (2) 150 g orders, to ensure we are in compliance with your prescription as per Health Canada regulations.

Spectrum Cannabis ships in a discreet, unmarked package that is sealed to ensure the box remains odourless. Your order can be signed for by anyone at your residence over the age of 18.

Dried cannabis is typically offered as either dried whole flowers (“bud”) or milled (“prepared” or “ground”). Whole flowers from the female cannabis plant are harvested, the stem and leaves are trimmed, and then the flowers are dried to a specific moisture content.

Concentrated cannabis resin, containing cannabinoids and other active compounds, is extracted from cannabis flowers that have undergone thermal decarboxylation, then diluted with a food-grade carrier oil to make a product for you to take orally from a syringe. This allows you to know exactly how much THC and CBD you are taking in each dose.

Softgels are filled with cannabis resin dissolved in food-grade carrier oil. They offer you a convenient and discreet option for your medication.

When inhaling, the active ingredients are absorbed almost immediately into your bloodstream through the lungs, and the effects usually last 2-4 hours. If you want to inhale, we recommend using a vapourizer. A vapourizer heats cannabis without burning it so that the active compounds are released into a vapour for inhalation, minimizing exposure to the by-products from combustion. Smoking cannabis is not recommended.

It’s important that you start low, go slow when ingesting cannabis because the effects can be stronger and can last much longer than when inhaled. Spectrum Cannabis oil can be taken directly from a syringe, measured according to the dosing insert that accompanies your product, or following the guidance of your healthcare professional. Taking the oil on its own makes it easy to consume in a precise dose.

Cannabis oil and softgels can take 1-3 hours or longer to start working, depending on your metabolism and things such as whether you have eaten before consuming the oil. The effects can last 6-8 hours or longer. This can be useful at night if longer relief is required. Some patients may take 2-3 doses per day, but it’s important to determine the correct single dose before taking more than 1 dose per day.

Cannabis oil and softgels are meant solely for ingestion and are NOT meant for inhalation nor for use in vapourizers.

Cannabis oil and softgels are meant solely for ingestion and are NOT meant for inhalation nor for use in vapourizers.

Concentrated resin, containing cannabinoids and other bioactive compounds, is extracted from cannabis flowers that have undergone thermal decarboxylation. The resin is diluted with a non-GMO food-grade oil to make a finished cannabis oil product that has a defined concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes. For simplified use and precise dosing, we include a syringe along with your bottle to facilitate oral administration.

Health Canada prohibits the sale of ingestible products. Spectrum Cannabis, however, does offer cannabis oil, which is taken orally, with no heating or processing required. You can visit our shop and filter the form of product by "Oil" to view all cannabis oil products that we carry.

Health Canada requires healthcare professionals to specify the number of grams of dried cannabis a patient is authorized to receive on a daily basis. An equivalency factor converts the grams of dried cannabis into the volume of oil or the number of softgels purchased for the purpose of tracking the purchased amount against the authorized amount in grams per day. The equivalency factor is not to be used for dosing calculations.

Patients can purchase and possess up to their 30-day supply of dried cannabis, or its equivalent, to a maximum of 150 grams. Should the 30-day limit exceed 150 grams, the patient will have to place more than 1 order in the month. All of our standard bottle sizes for oil and softgels are equal to 5 grams of dried cannabis.

Driving after cannabis use leads to a 22% increase in the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident due to short-term negative impacts on reaction time, motor coordination, and divided attention.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada recommends that patients who receive authorization to use medical cannabis be counseled not to drive for at least:

4 hours after inhalation

6 hours after oral ingestion

8 hours after inhalation or oral ingestion if the patient experiences euphoria

Regardless of how much time has passed, a patient should never operate a vehicle or heavy machinery or engage in any hazardous activity if impaired.

Note: These recommendations are generalized information provided to educate consumers with respect to impaired driving. However, cannabis consumers metabolize cannabis at varying rates, and factors such as newness to cannabis or mixing with alcohol will impact effects. These recommendations are guidelines only, and there is no certainty that following these recommendations will ensure that you pass roadside tests or are not impaired. At all times, if you are in doubt as to your impairment level, you should not drive or operate machinery.

Cannabis should always be stored where children and pets can’t access it, and is best preserved in a cool, dry place. Food products made with cannabis should always be clearly labelled.

With every shipment of medical cannabis that you receive, a customer card is provided. This card contains relevant information regarding your registration with Spectrum Cannabis including their unique identification number and the amount of medical cannabis that their physician prescribed.

This card is what verifies that a customer is legally allowed to possess their prescribed amount of medical cannabis.

Anytime that a registered customer is in possession of Spectrum Cannabis medical cannabis, they must ensure that they are carrying their customer card.

It is illegal to travel outside of Canada with cannabis products, even if travelling to a country where medical cannabis is legal. This is due to a ban on cross-border transport.

Spectrum Cannabis offers a selection of strains that have been cold pasteurized to meet the needs of customers living with reduced immune function. This process is completely safe and is commonly used to preserve food. It is referred to as cold pasteurization because it kills bacteria without heating the substance.

Random monthly pesticide tests occur at all our sites as well as systematic pesticide testing on every product produced at newly acquired facilities and all third-party partners. The pesticide testing regime includes testing for over 68 pesticides, including myclobutanil (USP 2014).

Everyone’s financial situation is unique. Spectrum Cannabis understands this and is proud to offer Compassionate Pricing to help customers afford the medical cannabis they need.

Spectrum Cannabis offers a 20% discount for eligible customers.

To be eligible for compassionate pricing a customer must:

have an annual personal income below $29,000

receive assistance from a Federal or Provincial disability program

apply for the program by submitting documentation supporting their eligibility

Spectrum Cannabis works directly with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to verify coverage, arrange direct billing, and ensure your coverage is seamless and fully supported throughout the entire process. It typically takes around 4-6 weeks for the approval to be received from VAC. Spectrum Cannabis contacts customers by phone or email when approval is received.

Veterans should submit a complete application to Spectrum Cannabis that includes a Medical Document with a clear diagnosis, and their PVAC Health Benefit number (starts with a K or M + 7 digits). A Veteran’s Consent to Disclose form is found online or can be provided by Spectrum Cannabis’ care team, and should also be submitted with a Veteran’s application for registration so that we can submit a request for direct billing to VAC on behalf of the patient.

VAC will cover the cost of $8.50 per gram. Spectrum Cannabis offers cost coverage on the difference for any of our strains that exceed that limit.

You can claim your sales receipts from your medical cannabis on your income tax return, under Line 330 – Medical expenses for self, spouse or common-law partner, and your dependent children born in 1997 or later.

Medical cannabis does not currently have a drug identification number (DIN) assigned by Health Canada, which is required by most insurance plans to provide coverage for the cost. We encourage you to reach out to your insurance provider to find out more.

Note: If you are a veteran of the Canadian Military your treatment may be covered by Veterans Affairs Canada. Any costs incurred to purchase cannabis for medical purposes can be claimed on line 330 of your income tax return as an eligible medical expense.

Patient Resources

Patient Resources

Patient Resources

Patient Resources

Patient Registration Form(129.7 KB)

This must be submitted by the patient to register with Spectrum Cannabis.